EPA finalizes 2012 renewable fuel standards WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2).
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) established the RFS2 program and the annual renewable fuel volume targets, which steadily increase to an overall level of 36 billion gallons in 2022. To achieve these volumes, EPA calculates a percentage-based standard for the following year.
Based on the standard, each refiner and importer determines the minimum volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is used in its transportation fuel. The final 2012 overall volumes and standards are:
•Biomass-based diesel (1 billion gallons; 0.91 percent) •Advanced biofuel (2 billion; 1.21 percent) •Cellulosic biofuel (8.65 million; 0.006 percent) •Total renewable fuels (15.2 billion; 9.23 percent) Last spring, EPA said it proposed a volume requirement of 1.28 billion gallons for biomass-based diesel for 2013. EISA specifies a 1 billion gallon minimum volume requirement for 2013 and beyond, but enables EPA to increase the volume requirement after consideration of a variety of environmental, market and energy factors.
EPA said it is continuing to evaluate comments from stakeholders on the proposed biomass based diesel volume for 2013 and will take final action this year.
Man found dead in Clinton County farm pasture CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Clinton County said they found the body of a man after they responded to a farm accident near Goose Lake.
The Clinton County sheriff’s office said the man’s body was found by deputies the morning of Dec. 28 in a pasture. Authorities said it appears the man had been operating a tractor that was attached to equipment used to spread manure.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy was pending as of last week. No further details of the accident were disclosed at press time, and the man’s name was not being released until family had been notified.
Homes evacuated around burning hog confinement
EAGLE GROVE, Iowa (AP) — Homes around a hog confinement near Eagle Grove had to be evacuated after fumigators sparked a fire at the livestock operation.
KCCI-TV reported the fire started late afternoon, Dec. 28. Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies said a crew was fumigating the confinement building and started the fire.
Deputies evacuated three homes within a mile of the building because of the toxic chemicals used during the fumigation. The homeowners were later allowed to return home. The confinement was empty, so no animals were harmed. The crew working inside the building also was uninjured.
Ohio pair sell alpacas after 1 is beaten to death
CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) — A southwestern Ohio couple whose baby alpaca was stolen from their farm and beaten to death say they’ve sold their other three alpacas and relocated to a city, partly because they feared copycat crimes.
Jeff Pergram told The Cincinnati Enquirer he and his fiancée also worried about possible retaliation from people involved in the case. Authorities said the llama-like animal valued at $8,000 was taken from a Butler County farm and beaten by two teens in January 2010. The teens were sentenced to prison on charges including grand theft and animal cruelty.
The newspaper said the couple had paid $40,000 for their alpacas but decided to sell the remaining three at a loss of $7,000. |
